The slap incident at Amity University created a furore not only in academic circles but in the UP assembly as well, with a majority of the varsity’s students and faculty demanding the accused’s expulsion.
Abhinav, 22, a BA-LLB student of the varsity and SP MLA Pramod Gupta’s son had
slapped his teacher Archana Shukla, 28, in class on Thursday.

The Chinhat police filed an FIR against Abhinav, a relative of SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, and recorded statements of students and faculty at the varsity. Police station in charge Vijay Mal Yadav said the accused claimed that the teacher held a grudge against him.

The teacher on Friday met chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, who was sympathetic towards her and asked her not to worry. Archana told HT that the CM gave his personal cell number to her so that she could call him for help in case of any problem.

Naresh Chandra, mentor of Amity Law School told HT that a three-member inquiry committee had recorded statement of students, eyewitnesses and the victim. “The committee will submit its report shortly. MLA Pramod Gupta and his wife have been asked to visit the campus on Monday,” he said.

Chandra added “There is no denying that Abhinav is a habitual lawbreaker. He misbehaved with the teacher in the past too. After he and his family sought apology, he was excused on condition that university will take severe action if he breaks university discipline.”

Many students and teachers said even in the past Abhinav misbehaved with Shukla and once he tore the attendance sheet. “After Samajwadi Party returned to power and his father Pramod won the election, he became even more indiscipline and would abuse teachers without any provocation,” said a student.

Earlier, senior BJP leader Kalraj Mishra said the culprit should be severely dealt with and that his party had raised the issue in the House.